Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya would return to haunt Kolkata Knight Riders when they open up once again on Friday just days after their 92-run drubbing at the hands of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
The veteran duo pulverized the Knight Riders’ attack and whatever resistance Brendon McCullum’s side tried to put up was smothered by the pace of Lasith Malinga and the medium pace of youngster Abhishek Nayar.
Between the two teams, Mumbai Indians have the distinct edge despite their narrow three-run defeat to Kings XI Punjab last night.
They are fourth in the table with five points from five matches compared to Knight Riders’ three from six. The Kolkata side is having a torrid time, having lost four of their matches to be lodged at the bottom of the table.
Opener Chris Gayle has been mildly successful but skipper McCullum seems to be saddled by the burden of captaincy and has been far from his destructive self. Without a sound start, it has been left to Brad Hodge and Sourav Ganguly to give the batting some shape but unlike Mumbai Indians, the Knight Riders lack depth.
In the bowling department too, Mumbai are well equipped than their rivals. The fearsome Malinga, who knocked the winds out of the Knight Riders and has emerged the highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 11 scalps so far, will get plenty of support from an in-form Zaheer Khan.There’s the medium pace of West Indian Dwayne Bravo and Nayar and the experience of Harbhajan Singh and Mumbai Indians look a compact side.
Not so for Knight Riders for whom Ishant Sharma has been the sole bowler of note. Ganguly has rolled his arms over but with moderate success and it was Hodge who has impressed the most with his spin.
Knight Riders have struggled in the fast bowling department and Ashok Dinda and Ajit Agarkar has come a cropper so far.
A fractious team hasn’t helped the cause either and Knight Riders would be praying for a miracle as they look to register their second win in the tournament.
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